Tourism Advertising and Marketing Services

The State of Texas Office of the Governor's Economic Development and Tourism Office is issuing Request for Proposals (RFP) 301-26-07016 for comprehensive Tourism Advertising and Marketing Services, with proposals due June 5, 2026 at 2:00 PM CT and an anticipated contract start date of September 1, 2026. The procurement seeks a full-service advertising agency to develop and implement integrated tourism marketing campaigns promoting Texas as a premier travel destination to domestic and international consumers and travel trade professionals. Primary deliverables include development of an annual Strategic Marketing Plan, creative services across all media formats (television, digital, print, social, out-of-home, and radio), media buying and placement services, website development and maintenance for TravelTexas.com, social media content creation and management, cooperative advertising programs with tourism partners, and comprehensive reporting and analytics. The selected contractor must establish a dedicated account team with office location in Texas, attend regular meetings in Austin, and provide transition services from the current contractor. The evaluation process consists of up to three phases: Phase I scoring of written proposals based on company information (5%), experience and qualifications (15%), proposal quality and responsiveness (20%), strategic marketing plan methodology (40%), and monthly service fees (20%); Phase II oral presentations for up to three highest-scoring respondents evaluated on strategy and planning (40%), creative presentation (45%), and presentation quality (15%); and potential Phase III Best and Final Offer submissions. Responses must be submitted in specified format with fourteen tabs including transmittal letter, executive summary, financial documentation, company background, experience, organizational chart, solicitation response, transition plan, cost proposal, assumptions and exceptions, conflict of interest disclosure, HUB subcontracting plan, references, and miscellaneous exhibits, with one original signed hard copy, three evaluation copies, and one searchable PDF on USB drive submitted to the OOG Financial Services Division in Austin.

The procurement includes HUB subcontracting opportunities identified in NIGP classes 915 (Communications and Media Related Services) and 961 (Miscellaneous Services), with statewide HUB utilization goals ranging from 11.2 percent to 32.9 percent depending on contract category; respondents must demonstrate good faith efforts to utilize certified Texas HUB vendors by notifying at least three certified HUBs with seven working days for response, notifying two or more trade organizations, and submitting monthly Prime Contractor Progress Assessment Reports if awarded. The initial contract term runs through August 31, 2027, with three optional 12-month renewal periods through August 31, 2030, and a potential six-month extension through February 28, 2031 for transition purposes. The maximum contract value for the initial performance period is $55,000,000, with compensation structured as a fixed Monthly Service Fee covering all in-house services and administrative expenses, plus pre-approved Reimbursables for out-of-town travel, media placements, and subcontractor expenses; contractors receive no commission, mark-up, or administrative fees for media placements, and all media purchases must be pre-approved in writing by the OOG. All respondents must comply with conflict of interest disclosures, FCPA contractor certification requirements, E-Verify requirements, insurance mandates (Workers Compensation and Commercial General Liability with minimum $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate limits), and various statutory compliance certifications. Responses must remain valid for 180 calendar days from the submission deadline, and the OOG reserves the right to conduct site visits to selected respondents' facilities at any time prior to contract award and to award the contract based on best value criteria without negotiations or discussions with respondents.